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Overwatch (PC) Review

If you haven't heard of Overwatch, then you've probably been living under a rock as it has been marketed and hyped to hell. But does it live up to that hype?

Yes and no. If you are looking for a solid, hero-based multiplayer shooter that is far closer to Team Fortress 2 than the MOBA genre, you'll probably dig it. However, the levelling system and micro-transactions are setup like a free-to-play game.

There are 12 maps in total, each configured for one of the four specific game types. Assault has attackers attempting to capture a series of points from defenders in a set amount of time. Escort has teams trying to deliver or stop a payload from reaching its destination, done so by walking alongside it. Control is similar to the standard king of the hill mode found in many FPS games where teams compete to hold the hill for a set amount of time. And the assault/escort mode starts with players attempting to capture a point, then escorting a payload.

While the objectives vary between game types, they all feel quite similar, aside from control. Assault and escort have teams slowly pushing towards an objective, versus control tend to be all out madness happening near the objective. Either way, every game type on offer is fun, though I'd have liked a bit more variety. Also depending on the map, if you’re on the defending team there are times when respawning means walking sometimes upwards of 30 seconds to get back to where the action is, which is rather dull unless you’re in love with the scenery. If you're the kind of player that would rather play team deathmatch than objective based matches, then this might not be a good fit for you.

Surprisingly all of the 21 racially and culturally diverse characters on offer feel unique from one another with each having their own stats, abilities, and personalities, and this means there is a character to fit every playstyle. From the super fast glass canon known as Tracer, to the sneaky sniper named Widowmaker, if you enjoy FPS games you'll surely find at least one character that matches your way of playing. I gave each character a spin before settling on four that I liked to switch between, depending on the situation at hand, since you can switch between characters during matches anytime you're in the base. Switching mid-game is an important strategy and can easily turn the tides of battle, something I wish more games offered.

Overwatch is, at its core, a multiplayer-only experience. Although technically you can setup a custom match with just yourself a bots, it isn't the intended experience. I'm nowhere near great at the game, but even I found the AI to be pushovers even on the hardest difficulty setting, though it does provide a nice breather from the frantic PVP action.

The characters are separated into four different classes on the character selection screen: offense, defense, tank and support. This makes for quick and easy team building, as well as small notifications that let you know what you could be missing, such as not having a support or tank character. That said these are just suggested roles for these characters and they can be played multiple ways.

Having so many different characters means strategies can develop and change over time, as well as the inevitable balancing issues. Currently, there are a couple of characters that feel overpowered such as Bastion, who can quickly turn into a stationary minigun and mow down enemies extremely quickly, and Torbjörn, who builds automatic turrets that seemingly never miss shots and have quite a long range. Obviously Blizzard has the ability to make changes and tweaks to the balancing as statistics start to come in while the game's meta develops, as it has already done as much since the game’s open beta.

Every character has at least 54 different unlockables including skins, emotes, voice clips, sprays, taunts, and more. Thankfully the unlockables are purely cosmetic and have no impact on gameplay. Loot boxes containing four unlockables each are earned each time your rank levels up, with each level requiring more experience points than the last. Loot boxes can also contain in-game currency that can be used to purchase unlockables of your choice.

One of my main issues with Overwatch is the implementation of its micro-transactions. Due to loot boxes only being granted upon levelling, and each level requiring more experience points, this means over time you'll be grinding more and more to get one, measly loot box. Meanwhile, Blizzard hangs the proverbial carrot-on-a-stick in front of you by offering to sell you loot boxes at costs ranging from 2 boxes for $1.99, and up to 50 for $39.99. On top of that, you aren't even guaranteed a new item, as it is possible to get duplicates that then just grant you a very small amount of in-game currency instead.

In my 16 hours with the game, I have only earned 430 of the aforementioned currency, which isn't even half the cost of legendary skins, which go for 1000. I have, however, gotten two legendary skins from loot boxes. 2 down, 82 to go, or around 656 hours of gameplay if I continue to get drops at this same rate. Or, I could buy into the micro-transactions.

Artistically Overwatch is an extremely colorful breath of fresh air, in stark contrast to most first person shooters that come out these days, which opt for gritty realistic tones. Everything pops off the screen from characters, to projectiles and, to a lesser extent, stages. I’ll take a game with style over realism any time. I especially love the character designs as there is truly something for everyone. Want to play as a cowboy? You can do that. A gorilla scientist? Yup. A robot with a bird buddy? Surprisingly yes. That mixed with diverse body types and races means you’ll probably fall in love with at least one character, even if you don’t like playing as them.

With so many characters and maps, somehow this still feels light on content. The game launched sans competitive mode as seen in the beta, and there is seemingly no lore or story to be found whatsoever, with the excellent cinematics released by Blizzard missing from the PC version of the game. Obviously, you can still watch said cinematics via web browser, but including them in the game would have made it feel at least a bit more like a complete package. Blizzard promises years of free download content and support for the game, so potentially that is only a temporary problem.

That said I am concerned with the longevity of Overwatch, since after playing for 16 hours I'm beginning to grow bored of the same few maps and game types. Sure, the character variety is great, but the repetition stacked with the slow grind is already turning me off of the idea of having this be a go-to multiplayer experience for me. I felt the same feelings for Titanfall when it launched and ended up not playing it for very long, but at least that didn't have micro-transactions in a full priced title.

I mostly enjoyed my time with Overwatch as it is very easy to pick up and play. The characters are diverse and just as colourful as the levels where battles take place. As a free-to-play title, I'd have no problems with the grinding and micro-transactions, but these mechanics in a feature-lite, full priced title, mar the overall experience for me. Maybe you're okay with that, but I'm not. No matter how many games do it, I'll never be okay with it.

In case you're wondering, I think Battlebornis a better game, even though comparing the two is like comparing chess to checkers, sure they might look similar but they play quite differently.

8

A decent hero-based shooter that is light on content and heavy on grinding for cosmetics, unless of course you'd like to buy some micro-transactions.

The leveling and micro-transactions have absolutely 0 impact on the gameplay, and you take points off for it.

And then you claim that Battleborn, a game that costs 60 bucks and has a day 0 season pass, is a better game even though you need to grind forever to unlock 90% of the roster.

I give this a review a 1/10 for at least trying to hide that Randy Pitchford money..

Dan Jennings

He seems to nitpick the minor flaws and makes them seems much larger. The whole battleborn thing is kinda funny and I rather not get into. I just know one can will get years of support while another might get another $50 season pass if it's lucky.

It's a better version of TF2, I'm cool with that. It's been a decade, sure beats yet another Cod or BF.

Eh

It isn't TF2, and comparing it to Battlefield is like comparing apples to oranges. Both are FPSes, but BF is a 64 player tactical objective shooter based on authenticity. Overwatch is a simplified 12 player MOBA.

I love Overwatch already, but it's not similar to TF2 beyond aesthetics and character choice. The gameplay is fantastic and remains unique with so many characters.

On the flipside, Battlefield 1 is hardly "yet another" battlefield.

SuperCool

OW is nothing like a moba. I like it a lot though.

ProcHoliday

MOBAs usually involve creeps, towers, purchasing items, destroying ancients etc...this game has none of those things. Stop calling it a MOBA.

Bowzer Mike

This guy totally bought Battleborn 🙁

Flo

If you think that the gameplay isnt good, i guess you didnt even scratch the surface of understanding it.

Shale9900

Why isn't it good compared to other shooters. Every shooter can "Get repetitive quick" but explain in detail why you believe that?

Shale9900

Please explain how it "Gets repetitive quick". Compared to almost every other shooter, having 21 hero's that are vastly different and 12 maps makes it seem as thought, compared to other shooters, you think every shooter gets repetitive quick.

Bowzer Mike

I totally agree, This was a pretty piss poor review and some petty things to point out since the "micro transactions" are all for cosmetic items,

Shale9900

Not to mention all future characters and maps are FREE. Funny how he forgets that when talking about Micro transactions.

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Ruiner

He wrote this bad review because his boyfriend is a BattleBorn fan and he likes Plants vs Zombies more:

"A decent hero-based shooter that is light on content and heavy on grinding for cosmetics, unless of course you'd like to buy some micro-transactions." Lets just put this in retrospect. TF2 released with 9 character and far fewer maps. So how this is light on content I don't know. Many FPS release with even fewer maps. Heavy on grinding, wut? What are we grinding? The loot is all cosmetic and it's not like any of it changes anything. They are bonuses that got added to keep people playing and working towards something, while also giving you a little customization. Finally, yes micro transactions suck, but literally the only thing you can buy is random loot boxes. I would like to also point out the PC title is only $40 dollars, which if my math checks out... yup it does, that isn't full retail.

Nathan Merrill

Because flaws are the things which will stop us from buying it. I think the review assumes we know what the game is like from trailers. Maybe it could have done a better job of explaining, though; you're not really wrong there.

That said, TF2 launched with 9 characters and fewer maps, but TF2 was part of the Orange Box which contained TF2, Portal, and all of Half Life 2. TF2 may have had less at launch but it wasn't a $40 standalone game.

meh

Sure, Flaws will stop us from buying it, but he doesn't get the point across that this is *a good fucking game*. The microtransactions are moot as they are cosmetic only, the gameplay is hardly stale, and 21 playable characters at any time is like the opposite of empty/repetitive.

Terroantula

But also you're not comparing what Overwatch is today with TF2 9 years ago, you're comparing it to what you can play today. A game has to launch and be better, otherwise why play the new game?

TF2 has 9 characters, but you can swap out so many weapons which essentially gives each character like 50 different play styles. So TF2 is far more flexible, where Overwatch has little depth to the characters, I find myself being bored of them and I only stick to like 4 of them as they're the only ones I find fun to play, even then I get bored of them as they don't do very much.

In TF2 I love all the characters, I love how I can switch items and weapons and change them up so much. I can mix and match the items and weapons as well, it's not a case of being either or.

TF2 also has player made content and maps, where Overwatch will most likely never have that and will probably just have map packs in the form of expansions in the following years.

I do think TF2 is superior, it has the superior feel as well, Overwatch feels very floaty and you get no feedback, but Source is always so good for shooting, even Titanfall proves it.

tehFork

Stay fresh!

GetemMa

Um, the microtransactions are purely optional and cosmetic and there is absolutely nothing to be gained by them gameplay wise. Every single Hero and Level and game mode is included in the retail price and all unlockables can be earned through the standard progression. Docking points for that is incredibly myopic.

Also, throwing in a Battelborn comparison at the end doesn't help your cause and chess isn't an apt comparison for it. It's more like Overwatch is checkers and Battleborn is a rejected board game that didn't me its kickstarter goals.

Nathan Merrill

Battleborn is a different genre of game. Overwatch is an arena shooter, Battleborn is a MOBA.

bitch

See, saying that doesn't make it true.

SeeJay the WeeJay

Yes. And Battleborn is worse BECAUSE it is a MOBA.

Lloyd

Even though it may not have an effect on the game itself, it does still have an effect on the consumer. There have been tons of studies on the subject and how subtly manipulative these systems are.

Great review. I actually didn't know the details of the micro-transactions. This is pretty disappointing - it clearly shows Activision is trying to milk a hollow game using it's marketing power. The flaws he's pointed out aren't minor at all by the way. I would of gave it a 7.5 though. I don't think it's fair for a Blizzard game with little content and replay-ability to get better scores than say DOOM - which has a full campaign, full multiplayer, and a custom map editor. I'm now a fan of CGM for this slightly brutal, but honest review.

Dan Jennings

You do realize doom has a season pass. Saying it's a "full multiplayer" isn't totally the truth. Seeing how once the season pass is released the community will be split into, DLC owners and core game owners. All future maps, skins, character in Overwatch is free. I'll take micro transaction for skins over paying another $40 dollars (the price of overwatch), for a season pass like one has to do for Doom.

Don't get me wrong, Doom is amazing, you just picked a very poor comparison.

Nathan Merrill

Overwatch is $40? I've seen it as $60. Where did you see it for $40? It is $59.99 on the Blizzard store.

At $40 I might consider it (at $20 I'd definitely buy it). At $60 I'm happy to sit on my thumbs for a price drop.

Ah, I see. Strange. When I looked at it directly through the battlenet store, it put me at the $60 version.

Hmmm.

Dan Jennings

On PC you can get it for $40 from bnet store. On Consoles it's right now 48.99 on Amazon

Yikes

"Ah yes, I found the literal one review of the game that slightly agrees with me. I am now a fan of them." Sheesh, what a sheeple.

Guest

Oh crap. The blight that is Jed Whitaker has escaped Destructoid... I assure you everyone, this review is immediately a farce, due to who it was written by. This "writer" forms incredibly-agenda based opinions about topics prior to even experiencing them first hand and then "writes" his reviews to fit his agenda. If it's popular or well-loved, it immediately gets scored downward just so he can be "edgy." I'd say look him up and you'll see tons of incredibly poor reviews and articles written by him JUST to stir the pot, but... don't. Giving attention to someone like this guy is all that he seeks in everything he does.

The game is brilliant. Just because he's more of a fan of Plants vs Zombies and BattleBorn, he had something against this game from the get go. His "opinion" cannot be trusted and should never be taken seriously. CGM has sunk to a new low employing this guy.

Nathan Merrill

Uh, he gave it an 8 out of 10. And frankly, he's probably right; it looks like a better TF 2. That's not a bad thing. But it also isn't a game that I would spend $60 on. Which is a problem, because it launched for what, $60?

A lot of people get bored with that sort of game; you just can't play it that much before it starts to get a bit old. It is the eternal issue with many multiplayer games.

16 hours of high quality gameplay for $60 is not wholly unreasonable, mind you - I bought Portal 2 at launch for $50 - but, well, some people would hope that a multiplayer game would be lively for more than 16 hours.

affliction

it launched for $40, not $60.

Lloyd

For PC you can just get the base game for $40, or the "Origins Edition" for $60. But if you buy on console your only option is the $60 version.

enrique

16 hours for $60? I played 16 hours my first day. In the beta...

Nathan Merrill

Some people have a higher tolerance for repetition than others.

Jonathan Lynch

It's an arena shooter not a role-playing game.

reererererer

Repitition? The gameplay is extremely diverse, because with 21 characters and only 6 spots on each team, each game is made different by which characters are chosen. You clearly just have a shitty idea of what repetition means.

Nathan Merrill

I've played MOBAs. MOBAs end up feeling very repetitive even though there are a large number of characters in them because ultimately you're not playing in very varied environments and the game ultimately ends up feeling pretty samey.

SeeJay the WeeJay

Overwatch actually isn't that repetitive. Maybe it is if you play the same one or two characters over and over, but the amount of characters offers a pretty nice amount of variety. No two characters provide the same experience.

Robert

I am no fan of the microtransactions but I can't figure out a better way for Blizzard to make money from this game in the long run (which they have to do to fund substantial updates in the future). Would you rather they charge for future heroes and maps and split the playerbase? I certainly wouldn't.

Nathan Merrill

Why not? Expansions are a time-honored method, and is what they do for their other games, like Starcraft and Diablo.

Robert

FPS genre is different. Maps and heroes are going to be expected frequently for interest to be maintained long term and the best thing to do to keep the game from shrinking is to not splinter the playerbase many times over.

bob

Because any self respecting player would rather have expansions than cosmetics??? dah fuc

sleazefrenzy

A game like Overwatch takes as much money, time and man hours to make as a new Halo or Half-Life. Just because time is spent fine tuning systems and maps rather than pumping out assets doesn't make the game feature-lite or unworthy of full retail price.

Like Street Fighter or DotA this is a style of game that's success is built on the balance and complexity of its systems, to make a game that people will find worthy of putting hundreds of hours into over the course of years and find endlessly satisfying in their pursuit of mastery. If Overwatch succeeds it will remain continually relevant for years to come, whist failures like Battleborn and Evolve are quietly forgotten.

As for micro-transactions, they are what they are. If you care about a certain cosmetic but don't want to wait for it, then spend a buck or two and get it sooner. It's player choice, I don't see it as inherently immoral. Overwatch is a game that will require great time and money to support, run servers and update over the upcoming months and years. Cosmetic micro-transactions are a proven way of financing those ongoing costs.

No one can say if Overwatch is a success or not until it proves itself in the wild, but the criticisms in this review I find to be undeserved and lacking of insight.

/rant. Back to Doom.

Nathan Merrill

How can you find it lacking of insight? The game wearing thin after 16 hours or so is pretty telling - a lot of people put in 50-100 hours into competitive multiplayer games. If the game starts feeling repetitive after 20 hours, you aren't going to spend the time mastering it.

SeeJay the WeeJay

Have you played the game?

Nathan Merrill

No. I read reviews mostly to see whether or not I should buy something. This review made me want to hold off.

Brumbek

You're completely wrong that something like Overwatch costs as much as a Halo or Half-Life to develop. You couldn't be more wrong. Quality campaigns and co-op modes cost way more money than putting out MP only games. You really should look into actual game development processes before saying such ignorant things.

You're citing one example of a very different kind of game. Overwatch has been in development for over half a decade. It's not a tacked on multiplayer mode to a single player game. And yes, as someone who makes games, I know plenty about game development processes thanks.

Nathan Merrill

The thing is, should Overwatch cost as much as other games do? Does it really have as much content?

That's kind of the problem here. It doesn't matter how much work you put into something; what matters is the end product. Overwatch has 12 stages and 21 characters. Taking half a decade to do that doesn't mean it is particularly valuable, it means you're not particularly efficient in your development.

You seem to be confusing "sweat of the brow" with how much something is actually worth.

sleazefrenzy

If it's made well and can be fun for hundreds of hours then it's definitely worth the same as other games.

I just finished Doom in 12 hours and have no reason to play it again, I've seen it all, got the secrets, watched the credits.

I played the Overwatch Beta for around 30 hours and feel like I barely scratched the surface.

I don't think a games value is determined by its assets. DotA 2 had one map last I played it, but that doesn't stop it being one of the biggest, most watched and infinitely replayable games in years. Anyone can make 'levels' and content. Blizzard have made an actual game, with rules and systems worth exploring and that are always surprising.

hoppetuss

"The thing is, should Overwatch cost as much as other games do? Does it really have as much content?"

Quantity =/= Quality. Also, I'm pretty sure Blizzard could churn out a version more like Hi-rez' Paladins in way less development time, but instead they spent that extra amount of time to polish the product. As an example Overwatch, at an objective 50x Paladins visual glory, runs smoother on my computer than Paladins.

Sacrifex

Subjectivity in a review, which by nature is a person's opinion? Comparisons to a game that has been compared to it for months? Madness!

I may love the gameplay in Overwatch, but I think this is a good review overall. The cosmetics, while cosmetic by nature (of course), are 100% going to be a massive grind - and the fact that you can get duplicates, even in paid packs, is rough, and comparisons to a game that was a fraction of the cost (TF2) in a different era for defending content levels is not an argument that can stand.

If anything, I would say that the part of this review that sticks out is the score - not because of how low it is, but the opposite. When I read this, and when it was summed up as merely decent by the author, I had to wonder how decent with significant problems even got that. I have to imagine it was to dodge some of the internet's rage, but, in a piece where an unpopular opinion is dropped, pulling the final punch (even if a "score" is the least important part of review) makes me wonder what an unfiltered review may have looked like.

I love the game, but it's not perfect (and it wouldn't matter if it was) - bagging on a reviewer for their own opinion is lame.

Jon Hartley

I agree, except in instances like this where the review is misleading. I came from Metacritic, where the snippet used makes this game seem like it's full of shady microtransactions that wall parts of the game off from players unless they pay up. That couldn't be less true, as others are pointing out. The reviewer made it seem like it's the PGA Tour games from a couple of years ago, where if you played season mode, there would be events you couldn't participate in if you didn't buy the DLC courses. It's a bit ridiculous.

XP per level caps out at level 22 or 23, with each level taking ~90 minutes from that point onwards.

Topher Doll

Wait so volume of modes matter more than volume of enjoyable gameplay? Well that's a dangerous trend if anyone actually believed that.

Devvy

False informations. Video Games Journalism at it's finest. Just so you know, exp required caps at level 20 so it's a rather smooth leveling process.

Nathan Merrill

He probably hasn't hit level 20 yet. He played for 16 hours, which is enough to form an opinion about a game like this.

Shrike

What do you mean with "caps at level 20"? Is the exp required to reach the level 21 the same to reach level 22?

DDTT

Thats right. At level 20 you need i think about 23k xp to level, and it never increases beyond that. Takes roughly 10 games to level up depending on how well you do.

Sasha Kozak

The only stuff you can buy are cosmetic stuff which you can unlock just by playing. This is a much better version of what TF2 did. They are purely optional and don't effect gameplay in anyway, not sure what is wrong with that. If the items gave you an advantage I could understand, but this is a better version of what CS and TF2 do for cosmetic items.

mikkel crichton

I totally agree with this review, The game is (was in my case) fun, I enjoyed my time in the betas from PC to PS4 but at $60? that is a price point i cannot agree with when TF2, CS go etc are free or failry priced given the type of game it is. I didn't buy Evolve for the same reason, I did however, buy Titanfall which was fun (same as OW) but wore thin after a day or two of straight playing, the game needed to have modes similar to a COD or old school arena shooters with the ability to select what you want... not being placed in random queues for X game mode cause thats all thats on offer.

Eric He

It's only 40$ though!

Chris

Only review that complains about the vanity unlocks. What is the problem you make it sound like a pay2win game

Guest

He gets an idea in his head then writes his reviews to support it, right or wrong. It's what he does. He's looking for attention and notoriety more than he's looking to do a "job" well. That's all he is as a person. When you start calling him out for it, he'll start complaining about people harassing him and also start deleting comments. Spineless SJW that starts a flame war and then cries to the rest of the internet when it gets out of hand. So typical of him.

asdf

Maaaan you sound bitter. Notoriety by only giving the game an 8/10? Time to step away from the internet for awhile.

Guest

Did this mention the score at all? Man, you millennials really need to learn how to read. I mean PASSED the one sentence descriptions on SnapChat, that is... Just another idiot out to defend something just for the sake of being a part of something. Right or wrong, logical or not. Step away from the internet? Being raised on the internet and having your only form of social interaction being anonymously posting on an article for a game you have no interest in... you should really take your own advice, Millie! Bitter? Well, yeah. Look at all the absolute stupidity and pompous Justice Warrior crap going on in this comment section. Especially over a 'tard like Jeb.

asdf

Good lord thanks for the laugh.

Narune

Can someone tell me if the bots can now be any hero in Custom Matches? I was told that you can now pick the AI for both teams, and my understanding is that the hero selection for them was pretty limited in the Beta.

1/10 for effort? I played 16 hours straight of the actual retail version of the game, which means I played more of it than some other people who gave it a 10.

I mean, at least Titanfall had a story to it / lore in the actual game.

Guest

...and how do you know how long they played it for? Did you poll the reviewers that gave it a 10? Just another baseless statement from the worst "writer" on the internet.

Just to add: This "writer" was complaining from the moment he started the game. Complaining how long he had to play it in one day to write the review. Complaining he wasn't getting any votes as a valuable player during the matches (which means he sucked and contributed nothing). Complaining about his hands hurting from having TO play the game. (Awww... is playing games for your job too strenuous for you? L-O-L ! ! !) Complaining about the need for a Bastion nerf (again, because he's simply bad at the game).

He was complaining about his totally incorrect "free-to-play" idea right from the start... Again, an idea he had in his head before even giving the game a chance, then wrote his entire review on his flawed and downright incorrect opinion...

...and finally whining about having to play Overwatch at all because his boyfriend is such a big Battleborn fan...

What a horrible choice for a "reviewer" CGM. I've never seen anyone worse at their "job" ever.

How do I know I played longer? Well if you were a true Overwatch fan, you'd know the servers went live at 7pm for EVERYONE including reviews. My review was written directly after my play session, which started at servers going live.

Other reviews went up before mine. You do the math.

Guest

...and that takes into account the potential hundreds of hours they could have spent in the beta, right? A true Overwatch fan...? If your boyfriend wasn't a BattleBorn fan, this review might have had a chance to be less obviously biased from the start. But, you know, I shouldn't be so harsh on you. You're clearly not going to last much longer in this business anyway. Your Patreon numbers keep on dropping... (How's that $22 a month working for you? To think you set a goal of $500 a month!! HAHAHA!! Never gonna happen!!) You're a talent-less hack who's tactics for getting attention by writing the worst and most biased crap on the internet are being recognized every site that you go to and soon there'll be nowhere left to go... except your own site... which no one cares about either. Looking forward to the day when I no longer have the chance to even accidentally read any of your garbage. Leave the actual writing to people like Chris Carter, Patrick Klepeck, Kyle Macgregor, Mike Cosimano, Luke Plunkett, Nathan Grayson... The list of people more talented than you is too long to transcribe here...

hoppetuss

It's pretty glaring that you don't like multiplayer only games. Maybe you should stay clear in the future?

Also Overwatch has a (imo, awesome) story/lore, you just have to work at finding it. Piecing together clues, and so on. Which is way more than CS:GO has.

Yeah thats why Halo 5, Hearthstone, Battleborn, Splatoon, and Destiny have been played to hell and back by me. Because I hate shooters.

Guest

You forgot Plants vs Zombies! You know, the game where you recorded yourself as "Jedders Pedders" relentlessly trolling other players and spewing racist and sexist crap then posted it on YouTube for whole world to see! "Jedders Pedders" is quite the persona. How many legitimate "writers" take pride in naming themselves as a play on the word pedophile?

It's a crap review because you compared this to a free to play game but forgot to focus on the fact that all future maps and characters are FREE. In an interview they said they wanna do 4 more characters and 2 more maps by the end of the year. Your bias is highlighted by that and really shown at the end when you mention Battleborn. You mentioning Battleborn at the end is like someone reviewing the Witcher 3 and mentioning Assassins Creed at the end.

If you gave it an 8/10 and focused on the good (FREE characters and maps forever) while also focusing on the Microtransaction BS the way you did I would at least respect your opinion, although misguided in my opinion. But you comparing it to a free to play system but ignoring that all additional characters and maps are free and mentioning Battleborn when no one asked makes you a bias fanboi. Yes, shit review.

Brumbek

Major respect to CGM for having the courage to call Blizzard out for the lack of content, micro-transactions, and general lack of innovation in game modes. So many "big" sites are giving this game glowing praise when Blizzard is actually pushing a terrible trend of giving less content while asking you to pay more. I, too, will never be OK with gouging the consumer.

As for the game itself, it's a pretty fun TF2 clone. I expect more from Blizzard.

trashmyego

It launched with a ton of content comparative to any other title with a multiplayer focus. It promises continued development and content patches for free which will include new characters, maps, and game modes. The micro-transactions are being blown out of proportion when they're non-gameplay affecting, and also remove the need for DLC charges you'd see from any other title. I'll take the cosmetic loot boxes versus being forced to shell out the price of the game for a season pass just to stay up to date with the game's content.

Nathan Merrill

Well, maybe when enough content has been added to justify the price tag, I'll buy it.

But I don't want to pay $40 for something I'll get bored with in a couple days, when I can spend $15 on a humble bundle and be entertained for vastly longer.

Is that a fair comparison?

It is what the market is like right now.

Unless I have a bunch of friends who want me to play with them right now, I have no reason to buy it.

trashmyego

It's not a fair comparison. That's like saying going to a movie theater isn't worth the ticket price because you can spend the same or less on a month's subscription to netflix. They're separate things, but netflix's bargain doesn't make the quality of films lesser. Knowing you'll get bored with the game isn't a critique of the game as much as it is a descriptor of your tastes, especially since that assumption of boredom puts you in a minority when considered with most gamers.

By your metrics, I could just argue that instead of going and seeing three films at a movie theater, which would provide me eight hours of entertainment (that's a generous estimation), I should spend that $40 on Overwatch and be entertained vastly longer. And that means all films can no long justify their price tag. It's silly.

You don't see worth in the current price tag. That's fine. But don't fool yourself into believing that your assessment is universal. The reviews, sales, and longevity of this game with argue otherwise - long after the inevitable point in which you've been swayed and own the product.

Shale9900

I used your Netflix comparison in a discussion with a co-worker and now he's going to purchase it. Awesome point. Good hunting.

Foxymoron

Characters do not equal content, by that logic Battleborn is automatically a better game. Overwatch is an extremely empty shell of a game and I'm shocked that this is the only review pointing out the stark lack of game modes.

trashmyego

Content does not equal quality. There's a reason Overwatch is generally considered a more entertaining game than Battleborn, and it has nothing to do with comparing quantity.

xavierdonor

Maybe I'm wrong here , but in MP thing this game is probably the best game ever , and it's just the beginning because I can see myself and a lot of others playing it for years to come .

Skins have 0 impact on the game, all current and future hero's and maps are free, and from LVL22 onward the XP needed to level is fixed at 22000, so it doesn't get indefinitely harder to level your account(that has no level cap)

Guest

...and how exactly does one "buy a micro-transaction?"

It's like saying you're purchasing a sale. Or paying for a tender.

L

O

L

Worst "writer" on the internet!!

UpInFlames

Why are you so obsessed with loot boxes? How about playing the game because it's a great game, not to unlock cosmetic shit.

Moreno

it is not full priced you idiot.

saxman234

It is advertised as 60 bucks everywhere (plus 60 on consoles). I had trouble finding that there even was a $40 version until I searched around battle.net website, and even then it is not the first item you see. Not sure why anyone would buy the $60 version for a few skins if they knew about the $40 version.

xavierdonor

I had my doubts to be honest , but I was wrong this game is the best MP game ever made by a long shot , with a huge player base and fan base I can see it around for along time for sure .

So many apologists for the microtransactions. It's a paid game, they don't belong here no matter how you spin it.

"B-b-but they're only cosmetics!" Yeah and you know what? I actually like unlocking cosmetics at a steady pace, when did it become standard that microtransactions are okay if it's for cosmetic items? I remember being able to unlock gold guns in CoD4 without having to pay for some stupid in-game currency

Arguing over a game you obviously haven't played, huh? If you did, you would know already you can indeed "unlock cosmetics at a steady pace." The option to buy is only there IF YOU DON'T WANT to earn cosmetics at a steady pace...

Did I make my point clear? That you can EARN COSMETICS AT A STEADY PACE...

I just love tools that just join an argument JUST for arguments sake and make themselves look like a fool in the process. Obviously nothing better to do with his or her time.

MyBodyIsReady

Cool story bro (hows that for a meme?) maybe try logging in before hating on my username lol.

Keep rolling that dice on your "loot chests" in the hope you'll get that one item for that one character you want. I'm sure you'll get it at a "STEADY PACE" without paying any money lol

Microtransaction systems are always added for a reason, because they want you to buy them. They will always affect the game even if it's not initially obvious.

Guest

Zzzz... Generic reply from a generic meme-name with a generic meme response. Obviously you spend most of your time online. You live online, learn online, socialize online and defend and oppose the things being online has taught you, you must defend or oppose. Completely optional micro-transactions must be preached against and completely ruin the entirety of a game because that's what the lowest common denominator masses have taught you. I'm wondering what kind of fulfillment you must get in life from bashing games you're not even playing? Must be a pretty bored and boring individual overall... Gonna go play now! You defend your stance and your elite CGM membership with your oh-so-original name! I know it's all you have. Tah!

MyBodyIsReady

It's a disqus account mate, they're free for everyone! Check them out. I'm just gonna skip over most of your pretentious comment where you judged my whole life based on two comments I made about a video game lol.

Enjoy your microtransaction filled game! I'm sure with apologists like you out there there's more on the way 😉

bob

You must be a real kick in the nuts pal. Bet you got a lot of friends. Bet

PotatoFish

I mean, you're not wrong. Of course they want you to buy them. But you don't have to. As everyone has said, if you want to try your luck, you can. If not, you passively get them, the same items you could pay for, as you play. And it's pretty darn fair. It takes only a few games to level up. And the XP cap is reasonable, so it doesn't take that much longer than the previous few levels.

You could probably get 1 loot box an hour, even if you're losing, as long as you're playing.

I don't mind the mini-transactions because I could just, y'know, keep playing like I already am. I've hit the XP cap of 22000, I get about 3000-6000 XP a match, and they last about 5-12 minutes. I mean, all I get are skins. It's not like I literally need a skin to play X character.

Sure, I want that cool Roadhog Skin. I've saved up plenty of coins from Duplicates and Coin drops in my boxes, so I'll get it eventually.

Flo

If your level is higher than 23 or so, you always need 22k exp for the next levelup. Not more. Please look it up and update the review on that part. Is misleading otherwise!

SudoHero31

Glad to see the hype train isn't clouding everyone's judgement. Playing the beta instantly made me think of Titanfall, but even then, Titanfall was more interesting and fun to play. And the day 1 microtransactions are sleazy, but that's Activision. Eh. Pass.

bob

Then don't buy em... they don't give you anything you cant get just by playing the game. And comparing this to titanfall??????? I'm actually glad you are passing on this game. Hell, I already regret noticing your existence via these comments.

SeeJay the WeeJay

If you think this game is similar to Titanfall you probably played it very wrong

Angelo

Wow, you're review is a resemblance of your personal opinion and a tool to shout out your hatred against micro-transactions in "full priced titles", which have absolutely no impact on gameplay. Pick another twenty pictures and add it to your "review" to make it appear more "interesting" in comparance to the lack of viable arguments among your shitty critcs.

This isn't a good review and has nothing to do with proper journalism, mate.

Jason

You're simply wrong in the fact that you claim that Overwatch is a full price title. Please correct your misinformation. $40 is not full price.

What A joke

WHat a tool this guy, Uninstall Life!

witch

Quite honestly the stupidest thing I have ever gotten cancer of the eye from.

Dandy Dhiafalah

how this stupid reviewer can submit their scores to metacritic?

thenarasan

you want overwatch to be free to play???? you we Game developers Artists, programmer and etc..... we all have family, we need money to live, you writers are working for free???? STUPID.... DUMB REVIEW EVER....

SeeJay the WeeJay

"In case you’re wondering, I think Battleborn is a better game, even though comparing the two is like comparing chess to checkers, sure they might look similar but they play quite differently."

Your opinion is wrong. Battleborn is a MOBA, and therefore it is automatically inferior. Bad design is built into the core of the genre. They're nearly impossible to balance properly due to the sheer amount of characters. IceFrog is literally the only person who's found the secret. Everyone else who's tried has failed. They're also repetitive. They punish experimentation and reward strict adherence to formula.

Battleborn also has one of the worst color palettes I've ever seen, but that's just me.

Erik

The micro-transactions are all for cosmetic stuff. I believe Blizz has gone on record saying they will not make pay-to-win "full" games. (Hearthstone is another story). Even for being a "mixed" review about the game, he still gave it an 80... says a lot.

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Guest

Fantastic CGM! You've employed someone who identifies with being a pedophile! Jed Whitaker also goes by the name of Jedders Pedders and has posted some incredibly tasteless material online. Glad you check the backgrounds of the people who you let represent you!

cgmagonline

While we encourage open discourse on CGMagazine, anything vile, hateful, bigoted or otherwise distasteful will be moderated. Please keep the conversation civil.

Anti-Molestation Parent

You post reviews by someone who's alternate online persona identifies with being a pedophile and then moderate comments that point out that DISTASTEFUL bit of information? Yeah. That's ethical. Never thought CGM would stoop to lookin' for the clicks, but there ya go.

I love how people always complain about few maps. I know a lot of people who just play Dust2 over and over.... CS:GO have less than 10 maps for competitive match and this is considered the best MP game. Number of character, map, or weapon is not important, but number of strategy is really important; overwatch has that wide strategy so far(not sure in competitive scene) It's not the game for everyone but if you're writer, you should explain the real reason why you didn't like it; do not blame micro-transaction which most of people are okay with.

Brian Gallagher

Lol what a silly review. Blizzard has stated that all additional maps and characters will be free updates and you get upset because some people may spend money to unlock cosmetic skins? Similar to Smite - $40 unlocks the game for good...all characters, all maps...